Combined door closer and retainer device



ug. 16, 1955 R. G. CARLSON COMBINED DOOR CLOSER AND RETAINER DEVICE l Filed Nov. 17, 1955 1N V EN TOR.

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Richard G. Carlson, San Gabrieli, Caif.

Application November i7, 1953, No. 3??.,622

8 Ciairns. (Cl. iti- 65 This invention relates generally to builders hardware aud more particularly to door closers and latches. Specically, the invention pertains to a combined door closing and retaining device.

Various forms of devices are currently employed for closing doors, such contrivances being in the nature of either pneumatically or spring-actuated closet-s which are loaded as the door is opened and which act automatically to close the door when the latter is released. lt is the usual practice to employ latches or catches in conjunction with such door closers for releasably retaining the door in closed position.

With the use of latchinv devices of the magnetic type, it is necessary that the door be pushed to its fully closed position and it is noted that the devices serve simply as holding or retainer devices and are not designed for the purpose of drawing a partly opened door to a fully closed ion. That is to say, if a cupboard door is inadvertently left open a few inches, it will remain in this condition.

Spring-actuated closer devices have been proposed for closing the doors of cupboards, closets and cabinets, such devices being operable to normally maintain a door closed against its frame without the use of a separate latching means. Such a door closer embodies a coil spring which is compressed or loaded progressively to a greater extent throughout the full opening movement of the hinged door. Consequently, opening of the door is resisted by the spring action and after the door has been opened it cannot be retained in this position without the use of a separate door stop or check. v/nen the opened door is released by the person, its spring acts to restore the door to its closed position. While such a door closing device may be suitable for use in connection with medicine cabinets and other receptacles where it is desirable that the door normally remain closed, it is wholly unsuitable for controlling the operation of the doors of kitchen cabinets and cupboards or wardrobe closets Where it is necessary that the doors remain in fully opened position to allow insertion and removal of the articles to be stored.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to obviate the faults and deficiencies of the prior door closing and latching devices referred to above by providing a combined door closer and retainer, the device embodying spring means which is activated or loaded only when the door is in its fully closed position and in a slightly open condition, the spring means being inactivated in response to opening movement of the door to a predetermined extent so that the door is, in etect, released to allow it to pivot freely, without resistance, between a nearly closed position to a fully open position so that it may remain open to facilitate placing articles in and removing them from the cabinet or closet.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device, of the character referred to, embodying an over-center spring which is compressed in response to pivotal movement of the door toward a closed position and which is so arranged that it moves across center when the door reaches a nearly closed condition, at which time it functions to atent mi itl 2 ,7 l 5,24 l Patented Aug. 16, 1955 retract the door to its fully closed position. By this structure, the door may be pushed toward the cabinet to compress or load the over-center spring, whereupon the latter functions automatically to complete the closing of the door and to yieldingly hold the door in its fully closed position against the cabinet or closet frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated which is adapted for installation adjacent the hinged portion of the door so as to be located where it will not interfere with the placing of articles in, or removal of the articles from, the cabinet or closet, and in a position out of the normal reach of a person so as to avoid injury to the hands.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the class specified which is extremely simple in construction economical to manufacture, the main parts thereof lending themselves to mass production as simple metal stampings capable of being quickly assembled.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a combined door closer and retainer device of an over-center spring type in which a plunger rod is provided with an inner bent end or stop portion adapted to engage against the swivel element so as to limit the extent of pivotal movement of the door to open position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated which may be made in a variety of sizes in accordance with the type and weight of the door to be controlled thereby.

Further objects will appear from the following description and from the drawing, which is intended for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a portion of a kitchen cabinet, showing the present door closing and retaining device applied to use in controlling the operation of the door;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View of the hinge portion of the door and the adjacent portion of the cabinet, showing the components of the device in their eX- tended, inoperative relation;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating the door in its fully closed position and retained in this position by the present device;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a composite perspective view of the swivel element and the inner bent end of the plunger;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a wardrobe closet having a hinged door controlled by a similar, but heavy-duty door closer and retainer device;

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of an alternative form of plunger; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a bracket of modied form.

Referring rst to Figs. l through 5 of the drawing, the improved door closer and retainer device 10 is shown as applied to use in connection with a cabinet 1l such as may be used in a kitchen, the cabinet having shelves 12 upon which dishes and other articles may be stored. A door 13 is employed for normally closing the opening 14 of the cabinet, said door beinU supported by vertically-spaced hinges i5 for pivotal movement to the open position shown in Figs. l and 2 and to the closed position illustrated in Fig. 3.

The door closer and retainer device 10 includes a swivel element 1S which is simply an inverted U-shapedsheet-metal stamping having an upper horizontal portion 19 and depending legs 2@ and 2l. As shown best in Fig.

5, one leg 2t? has a circular aperture 22 while the other leg 2l has a vertical slot Z3 provided with a lower open end. The swivel element l@ is mounted for pivotal movement against the under side of the shelf l2 by means of a screw 24 which passes through a hole in the upper portion -19 and is screwed into the shelf (Fig. 4).

The device also includes an angular sheet-metal bracket 28 which has a vertical arm 29 disposed against the inner or rear side of the door 13 adjacent the hinged edge thereof, this arm being secured in place by means of wood screws 30 passing through holes in the leg and screwed into the door. The horizontal arm 31 of the bracket has a hole through which extends a pivot pin or rivet 32.

The device further embodies an elongate rod-like plunger 35 which, as illustrated, is made as a sheet metal stamping, the rod being substantially of arcuate or channel shape in cross-section. The inner end of the plunger 35 is bent at a right-angle to provide an integral stop lug 36. The opposite or outer end of the plunger is caused to remain fiat during the stamping operation, so as to provide Va pivot portion or head 37. The pivot pin 32 passes through a hole in the head 37 to pivotally connect the plunger 35 to the bracket. As shown, the plunger 35 is slidable in the hole 22 and slot 23 of the swivel element 18. A coil spring 40 surrounds the plunger 35 between the leg of the swivel element and the ilat pivot portion or head 37 of the plunger.

' To install the device on the cabinet 11, the swivel element 18 is first pivotally mounted against the under side of the shelf 12, the screw being tightened only to the point where there exists slight clearance between its head and the portion 19 of the swivel element to allow rotation of the latter. The bracket 28, plunger 35 and spring 40 are pre-assembled and this sub-assembly is next connected to the door 13. This is accomplished by rst inverting the sub-assembly to direct the stop lug 36 downwardly as shown in Fig. 5. The lug 36 is next hooked through the aperture 22 of the leg 20 and the plunger then slid through this aperture and the slot 23 to dispose the lug beyond the leg 21, after which the sub-assembly is rotated through 180 degrees to cause the lug to assume a position in horizontal alignment with the portion of the leg 21 above its slot.

With the plunger 35 thus slidably connected to thc swivel element 18 and with the spring 40 surrounding the plunger between the leg 20 and the head 37, the bracket 28 is aiiixed to the rear side of the door 13 by means of the attaching screws 30. The device 10 is thus operatively mounted by the use of the three screws 24 and 30. It is to be understood at this point that in installing the device, the workmen will follow instructions which specify the appropriate locations of the mounting screws 24 and 30 to attain the best results. That is, the locations of the swivel element 18 and bracket 28 will be given in terms of distances from the axis of the door hinge pin 15.

With the device thus installed, the plunger is adapted to slide through the aperture 22 and slot 23 as the door 13 is pivoted to open and closed positions relative to the cabinet frame 11. Assuming that the door 13 .is in its open position as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, further opening of the door is prevented by reason of the engagement of the stop lug 36 against the side of the leg 21. At this time, the spring is unloaded and is fully extended to a length which is somewhat less than the distance between the head 37 and the leg 30.

t To close the door 13, the operator simply pushes it toward the cabinet 11 in the usual manner. During the rst portion of this pivotal movement, the door is subject only to frictional resistance. However, as this pivotal movement is continued, the spring 40 is engaged between the head 37 and leg 20 and further inward movement of the door causes the head 37 to move toward the leg 20 to compress the spring. During the pivotal movement of the door, the pivot pin 32 moves in an arc concentric with the pivotal axis 15 of the door, the radius of this arc being less than the distance between the hinge axis 15 vand the pivotal axis 24 of the swivel element 18. Consequently, the included angle between the plunger 35 and a line x--x passing through the pivotal axes 15 and 24 is progressively diminished during the inward movement of the door and as a result the spring 40 is progressively loaded to a greater degree of compression.

When the door 13 is pivoted to a point where it assumes an angle of approximately 25 degrees, the longitudinal axis of the plunger 35 and the pivot pin 32 coincide with the centerline x-x. Now, as the inward pivotal movement of the door is continued slightly beyond this point to carry the pivot 32 across the centerline x-x, the overcenter spring 40 reacts between the relatively fixed leg 20 aud the movable head 37 and bracket 28 to apply torque of suiiicient amplitude to forcibly pivot the door through the remainder of its inward pivotal movement. Eventually, the door comes to rest against the front of the cabinet 11, at which time the parts of the device 10 assume the relative positions illustrated in Fig. 3 with the spring 40 remaining loaded to retain the door in its fully closed position.

lt is thus seen that by this over-center spring arrangement the spring 40 stores up energy during a portion ofV the closing movement of the door and this energy is subsequently released to apply torque which mechanically completes the closing of the door. By this provision, the open door may be thrust inwardly with suicient impetus to load the spring 40 and carry it across the center x-x to positively close the door without further action or attention on the part of the operator. Thus, the present device 10 serves to positively close the door when the latter assumes a position within an angular range Where it is definitely desired that the door be fully closed. It will be observed that through this spring action it is impossible to leave the door slightly ajar. The device functions through its loaded spring to yieldingly retain the door in its fully closed position so that the need for 'separate catches or detents for holding the door closed is avoided.

When it is desired to open the door 13, an outward pull is exerted and during this slight initial pivotal movement, the pivot pin 32 and plunger pivot outwardly from the position illustrated in Fig. 3 and when the pin 32 moves outwardly across the center line x-x, the spring tends to expand and thus exerts a rotative force which augments the pulling force applied by the operator to assist in opening the door. After the door has moved to a predetermined angle, the force of the spring is expended and the door is free to remain open. Engagement of the stop lug 36 against the leg 21 limits the outward movement of the door. While the length of the plunger 35 is so calculated as to limit the angular "I movement of the door to approximately 9() degrees, it

will be understood that the plunger may be extended to n increase this movement to nearly 180 degrees, if desired.

Referring now to Fig. 6, it is within the concept ofY this invention to utilize a similar device 10 for controlling the operation of larger and heavier doors such as may be employed in connection with wardrobe closet 51, the door being hinged at 52. In this case, the device 10' is identical to the device 10 described above with the exception that it is made larger and stronger to withstand the heavier loads imposed thereon. Fig. 6, the parts of the device 10' corresponding to those i of the device 10 are designated by like reference numerals.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the swivel element 18 is pivotally connected to the lintel 53 of the doorway while the bracket 28 is secured to the rear side of the door. The device 10 functions exactly as the device 10 to close the door 5t) when the latter is moved to a location approaching a closed position, and to yieldingly retain the door in said closed position.

Referring to Fig. 7, it is within the concept of this invention to provide a device which utilizes a plunger 35' constructed from circular rod stock. In this structure, one end of the rod has a attened head 37 and an upstanding lug formed integrally with the head. At

In the illustration of its opposite end, the rod 35 has a right-angularly bent stop 36. The plunger rod 35 may be employed in the devices shown in Figs. l through 6 as a substitute for the plunger 35. The lug 60 is inserted through the hole in the leg 3l of the bracket 28 and its end then headed over to pivotally connect the plunger rod to the bracket. By this structure, the need for a separate rivet or pivot pin, such as shown at 32 in Figs. l to 4, is avoided and the structure is thus simplified.

In Fig. 8 there is illustrated a bracket 28 which is similar to the bracket 28 but which has a laterally bent prong 65 on its vertical leg 29. This alternative bracket 28 may be fastened against a door by the use of a single screw 30 which passes through the hole 66 in the vertical leg 29', the prong 65 being caused to penetrate the Wooden door to prevent rotation of the bracket on the door.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes I have herein described the principle of the invention, together with the structure which l now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof. I wish to have it understood, however, that various modifications might be made in the structure without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

l claim as my invention:

l. A combined door closer and retainer for use in connection with a cabinet or the like having a front opening and a door hinged to the cabinet for closing the opening, comprising: a swivel element pivotall;I mountable within the cabinet for pivotal movement in a plane extending normal to the plane of the door, said element having a bearing aperture arranged with its axis normal to the pivotal axis of the element; a bracket seeurable against the door; a plunger having a head at one end pivoted to said bracket, said plunger being slidable in said bearing aperture; and a coil spring surrounding said plunger between said swivel element and said bracket, the pivotal connection of said plunger to said bracket being movable in an arc concentric with the axis of the door hinge when the door is swung to open and closed positions and movable in both directions across a line passing through the axis of the door hinge and the pivotal axis of said swivel element, said spring having a fully extended length less than the distance between said head and said-swivel element when the door is in its open position, said spring being engageable and compressible axially between said head and said swivel element during closing movement of the door and said pivotal connection being movable inwardly across said line as the door approaches its closed position to allow axial expansion of the conipressed spring so as to cause the spring to exert a forceagainst said head in a direction to mechanically complete the closing movement of the door and to yieldingly retain the door in its fully closed position.

2. A combined door closer and retainer device for use in connection with a door hinged to a door frame for closing the opening thereof, comprising: a swivel element pivotally mountable within the frame for pivotal movement in a plane extending normal to the plane of the door, said element having a leg provided with a bearing opening arranged with its axis normal to the pivotal axis of the element; a bracket securable against the inner side of the door adjacent the hinge axis thereof; a plunger CIT having a flat head at one end pivoted to said bracket with the pivotal axis extending parallel to the plane of the door, said plunger being slidable in said bearing opening and having a stop at its other end; and a coil spring surrounding said plunger between said swivel element and said head, said spring having a fully extended length less than the distance between said head and said swivel element when the door is in its open position, said spring being engageable and compressible axially between said ,i head and said swivel element during closing movement of the door and said pivotal connection being movable inwardly across a line passing through the axis of the door hinge and the pivotal axis of said swivel element as the door approaches its closed position to allow axial exi pan-sion of the compressed spring so as to cause the spring to exert a forceagainst said head in a direction to mechanically complete the closing movement of the door and to yieldingly retain the door in its fully closed position, said stop being engageable against said leg to limit the opening movement of the door.

3. A device as dened in claim 2 in which said swivel element is U-shaped, having a pair of said legs, the opening in the first mentioned leg being a slot, the other leg having an aperture through which said plunger extends.

4. A combined door closer and retainer device for use in connection with a door hinged to a cabinet or the like for closing the opening thereof, comprising: a U-shaped swivel element having an upper portion pivotally connectible against an under surface of the cabinet by a screw passing through a hole in said upper portion and screwed into said under surface, said element having a first depending leg provided with a bearing aperture and a second leg provided with a slot; an angular bracket securable against the inner side of the door adjacent its hinge axis, said bracket having a horizontal arm; a plunger having a flat head at one end pivotally connected to said horizontal arm, said plunger extending through said bearing aperture and said slot and having a stop lug at its other end engageable against said second leg; and a coil spring surrounding said plunger between said llat head and said rst leg, said spring having a fully expanded length less than the distance between said head and said first leg when the door is in its open position.

5. A device as deiined in claim 4 in which said plunger is of channel shape cross section.

6. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said plunger is of circular cross sectional shape.

7. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said horizontal arm has a pivot hole therein and said flat head of said plunger has an integral pivot lug extending through said pivot hole with its end upset to retain said plunger pivotally connected to said bracket.

8. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said bracket has an integral prong for penetration into the door.

keerences Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain May l0, 1906 

